Always a Wasp
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1
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Tier 2 Update - RFU
« on: April 23, 2024, 09:29:25 PM »It?s unlikely I?ll get to home games so I?m hoping that there?ll be a Wasps TV which was hinted at in the survey we can sign up to. That could be a good revenue stream given the way Wasps fans are dispersed.
I would sign up for that, and get to any games local to me (ish). As long as they have motorbike parking (you too Coddy)?
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: The Sunday Times
« on: April 15, 2024, 05:07:03 PM »To me this smacks of "we've got nothing to say, so let's put out a placeholder until such time as there's actually something of substance to say".
The domestic game needs a cold, hard, independent review. Until such time as that happens we're just in putting sticking plasters on the chairs on the Titanic.
Yes, but those chairs were wooden and floated. The ones the RFU are patching up are cast iron and will sink without trace.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: The Sunday Times
« on: April 15, 2024, 11:32:09 AM »I think its more likely that the Champ clubs ... are trying to use that as a bargaining chip to get a better deal.
And the RFU has said 'No,' already, but the clubs are not backing down, so the RFU is upping the ante. The thing is, the RFU holds all the cards.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: The Sunday Times
« on: April 14, 2024, 10:53:24 PM »
It does make me wonder whether the RFU will simply say, 'Here it is, Premiership 2. If you want to play in it, sign this contract (which gives the RFU the right to invite who we want in to the league). If you don't want to join in, that's up to you. But, we are disbanding the Championship, and any team not taking up this offer, that is currently a Championship team, will be moved in to their local league below that. Now, what do you want to do?'
Interesting to note the rugby creditors comment. A big chunk of that would be the player's wages for the rest of their contracts. Most have now mitigated that, and it is quite possible most have signed a letter to waive their right to claim as 'rugby creditors', but would still retain their rights as creditors. As I recall, the phoenix team for each of the 3 clubs were told that it was their responsibility to identify the rugby creditors, and as the term isn't fully, legally defined ...
Interesting to note the rugby creditors comment. A big chunk of that would be the player's wages for the rest of their contracts. Most have now mitigated that, and it is quite possible most have signed a letter to waive their right to claim as 'rugby creditors', but would still retain their rights as creditors. As I recall, the phoenix team for each of the 3 clubs were told that it was their responsibility to identify the rugby creditors, and as the term isn't fully, legally defined ...
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: overseas player
« on: April 13, 2024, 06:29:17 AM »we are going to see more and more talent leaking out at the academy end of the conveyor belt. .... ..Sweeney is actually saying, if the premiership clubs don't want them, or can't afford them, or simply can't find space for them, then we write them off.
Actually I see it as a reverse situation to the current one where huge numbers of academy players every year don't get a premiership contract.
The financial pressures on clubs makes academy players comparatively more attractive e.g. Exeter's recent squad rejuvenation
You think they will let (say) a senior player go, to replace them with two or three academy players? Maybe. Which, if true, would mean a lot of senior players being let go earlier in their careers. Where are they going to go? Does it mean an already short career (especially for forwards) becomes even shorter? Would that mean fewer taking up the sport as a career?
From a coaching POV, that would mean you would need more pitches, more coaches, more equipment. More pitches is unlikely, so I guess existing pitches would get more intensive use. Maybe the same with coaches, working more hours with multiple sets of players. A slight increase in equipment costs. But, at some point, this larger cohort would also be 'let go', to be replaced by new, younger players.
Likely this would happen at the age where the player becomes most likely to be selected for the national team, when their 'value' rises above what the club can afford.
And so the drain is shifted. Currently it is those at the upper end of their twenties and into their thirties. But, we could see that lower point shift more towards 25 or 26 years old.
Is there a point to this? Not really. Unintended consequences is the focus of the pessimist (and that is me). There is no 'solution'.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: overseas player
« on: April 12, 2024, 07:02:57 PM »While his word do sound very patronising is he actually wrong?
Out of the English qualified players not playing in England how many would actually be in the squad?
Marchant, Arundell & Willis perhaps, but any others?
It isn't so much of the situation now, as to where it will lead. With the reduced number of Premiership clubs (and how many more will go under?), and their budgets under great strain, we are going to see more and more talent leaking out at the academy end of the conveyor belt. They will likely not have played for England, and after a few years (say) in France, could qualify under residency rules. Sweeney is actually saying, if the premiership clubs don't want them, or can't afford them, or simply can't find space for them, then we write them off. Forever. Not that I care any more. Not that I ever cared about the RFU, and my dislike for them and their old boys network goes back 50 years, and my views have certainly not improved. When the game went professional, I simply saw bigger, and more, snouts in the trough.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: So what do we think is happening?
« on: April 04, 2024, 05:06:26 PM »In any scenario I reckon that a 28k stadium is more than a bit optimistic. 18k more like. On a good day. With no rain.
It was rare at the Ricoh if they got over 20k, even with all the free tix. If not in the actual Prem 1, I can't see anything more than about 15k being needed.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Government at odds with Premiership rugby clubs over ?150million Covid-19 loans.
« on: March 31, 2024, 09:22:09 PM »However the HMRC are acting as "collection agents" for the DCMS. If I remember correctly it was them deciding that we were likely to default on tax (which they had previously came to an arrangement about) and the DCMS loan that brought about our demise.Unless there is strong political pressure (from the PM), HMRC simply ignore any requests and pleas. You owe it. It is due. Pay or we will see you in Court. Soon. They do not care for the societal consequences.As far AIUI this isn't an HMRC issue, its a loan from DCMS. So as long as the clubs are paying their taxes it should be none of HMRCs business.
Yes, they are the collection agents for these loans.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Government at odds with Premiership rugby clubs over ?150million Covid-19 loans.
« on: March 31, 2024, 12:36:19 PM »
Unless there is strong political pressure (from the PM), HMRC simply ignore any requests and pleas. You owe it. It is due. Pay or we will see you in Court. Soon. They do not care for the societal consequences.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Hope All English Refs Were Watching
« on: March 31, 2024, 11:05:17 AM »Watched the England v Wales Women's International and at a ruck the Ref told the English No. 9 to "use it" as she continued to drag the ball with her foot, calling new players into the crocodile, was told to use it again and did not move to pick it up, so ref immediately penalised England.
I saw it, and my comment was, 'About time.' She didn't do it again. They do learn.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Government at odds with Premiership rugby clubs over ?150million Covid-19 loans.
« on: March 31, 2024, 07:43:34 AM »
Oh dear.
On the horizon I can see some roosting chickens on their way to their 'sheds'.
On the horizon I can see some roosting chickens on their way to their 'sheds'.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Premiership Rugby clubs post losses of almost ?25m for 2022-23 season
« on: March 30, 2024, 11:34:05 AM »No no, Nelly. You have always been sustainable.
Typos, typos, my kingdom for a typo.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Premiership Rugby clubs post losses of almost ?25m for 2022-23 season
« on: March 30, 2024, 06:49:23 AM »
It wasn't sustainable before Covid, and it isn't now.
This is the best gloss each club can put on the numbers, with a lot of jiggery pokery going on.
This is the best gloss each club can put on the numbers, with a lot of jiggery pokery going on.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: We all knew this but from others it hurts
« on: March 26, 2024, 10:56:16 AM »I may be in the minority but I have been watching Prem games & the quality is high & the rugby exciting. No its not the same when you don't have a team that you support involved, but its still worth watching IMO.
Sadly if Wasps hadn't gone under I think they would have continued to bump along at the bottom end of the table.
Personally I wonder how many of those ex-wasps players who are shining in their new clubs would have been blocked from getting game time by players who are now only squad players at their new clubs? Especially the younger ones. We will never know
Same. Although, the excitement is not there. I am enjoying watching the womens 6 Nations.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Interesting view on 3G Pitches
« on: March 25, 2024, 03:22:22 PM »We now go to watch Ealing, and the black clouds of crumb that constantly rise from the pitch really make you wonder how healthy they can be for the players.
Not!
There is no total proof it is carcinogenic, so to the RFU it is OK.
Just like lead in petrol. cigarettes, asbestos, repeatedly being knocked out with head injuries (just chuck a bucket of water on it).
Given the number of such pitches in use in schools, community sports facilities, the cost of replacement will be horrendous, so better to ignore the problem until the lawsuits roll in, and then bleat that 'nobody told us'.
The Dutch banned these pitches years ago.